From the archive, 29 August 1963: 200,000 demonstrate for civil rights

The Washington march for jobs and freedom – the largest demonstration of its kind the capital has ever seen – has been an outstanding success.

The target of 100,000 marchers was in fact doubled. Police estimate that over 200,000 people, of whom perhaps nine-tenths were Negro and one-tenth white, have marched into the area around the massive memorial to Abraham Lincoln, who signed the emancipation proclamation 100 years ago. They were in holiday mood, and entirely orderly; the great majority were young.

The day has gone off so far without incident; and the thousands of police and marshals have been primarily occupied with assisting the footsore and the thirsty, lost children, and those who fainted. It has been a sunny but coolish day with the temperature in the low eighties.

The first trickle of people to reach the assembly point by the Washington Monument arrived at about seven o'clock this morning. By ten o'clock there were some 40,000 and it was not until nearly 11.30 that the police estimated that the crowd had reached the 100,000 mark.

Weather was ideal, the marchers orderly. Washington's infamous humidity was happily lacking. But over-exertion, excitement, and too many hot dogs took their expected toll. Scores of marchers fainted and were treated in special first aid stations.

The nature of the march was illustrated by a white man in clerical garb and carrying a placard with these words: "We march together – Protestants, Catholics, Jews – for the dignity and brotherhood of all men under God." Other placards said: "No US dough to help Jim Crow grow."

"We demand equal rights now."

"We demand an end to police brutality now."

Every sort and condition of humanity was represented – well-dressed young men and women, a few women in slacks, many clergymen, an occasional white beatnik in beard and jeans, a Negro in a wheelchair holding a placard reading "Help my people."

A giant cross made of wooden slakes was erected on the grassy slope near the Washington Monument. A throng gathered before it and sang the civil rights "Freedom Song." The folk singer Odetta led a huge audience in an emotional version of "Where I Stand." Those who did not know the words clapped hands in rhythm.

Among the first to arrive was George Lincoln Rockwell, leader of the American Nazi movement. A hundred police had been assigned to prevent him and his followers from holding a counter-demonstration. Later one of his party members was arrested for attempting to deliver a speech.

President Kennedy said tonight that the cause of 20 million Negroes, seeking to secure equal treatment for all, had been advanced by today's march. He was impressed with the deep fervour and quiet dignity of the thousands who had gathered for the demonstration.

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